Luke 2
2
1Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. 2This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to enroll themselves, every one to his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5to enroll himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. 6And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. 9And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: 11for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this is the sign unto you; Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased. 15And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. 17And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. 18And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.
21And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord), 24and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, 28then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29Now lettest thou thy servant depart, O Lord, According to thy word, in peace; 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; 32A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel. 33And his father and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him; 34and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and rising up of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against; 35yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. 36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37and she had been a widow even for fourscore and four years), which departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day. 38And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; 43and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; 44but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: 45and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. 46And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions: 47and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48And when they saw him, they were astonished: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. 49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be in my Father's house? 50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.
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Luke 2
2
The Birth of Jesus Christ
(Mt. 1:18–25)
1It was about that same time that Augustus Caesar sent out an order to all people in the countries that were under Roman rule. The order said that everyone’s name must be put on a list. 2This was the first counting of all the people while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3Everyone traveled to their own hometowns to have their name put on the list.
4So Joseph left Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and went to the town of Bethlehem in Judea. It was known as the town of David. Joseph went there because he was from the family of David. 5Joseph registered with Mary because she was engaged to marry him. (She was now pregnant.) 6While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. 7She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him up well and laid him in a box where cattle are fed. She put him there because the guest room was full.
Some Shepherds Hear About Jesus
8That night, some shepherds were out in the fields near Bethlehem watching their sheep. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord was shining around them. The shepherds were very afraid. 10The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I have some very good news for you—news that will make everyone happy. 11Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.”
13Then a huge army of angels from heaven joined the first angel, and they were all praising God, saying,
14“Praise God in heaven,
and on earth let there be peace to the people who please him.”
15The angels left the shepherds and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this great event the Lord has told us about.”
16So they went running and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the feeding box. 17When they saw the baby, they told what the angels said about this child. 18Everyone was surprised when they heard what the shepherds told them. 19Mary continued to think about these things, trying to understand them. 20The shepherds went back to their sheep, praising God and thanking him for everything they had seen and heard. It was just as the angel had told them.
21When the baby was eight days old, he was circumcised, and he was named Jesus. This name was given by the angel before the baby began to grow inside Mary.
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
22The time came for Mary and Joseph to do the things the Law of Moses taught about being made pure.#2:22 pure The Law of Moses said that 40 days after a Jewish woman gave birth to a baby, she must be made ritually clean by a ceremony at the Temple. See Lev. 12:2-8. They brought Jesus to Jerusalem so that they could present him to the Lord. 23It is written in the law of the Lord: “When a mother’s first baby is a boy, he shall be called ‘special for the Lord.’”#2:23 “When … ‘special for the Lord’” See Ex. 13:2, 12. 24The law of the Lord also says that people must give a sacrifice: “You must sacrifice two doves or two young pigeons.”#Quote from Lev. 12:8. So Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem to do this.
Simeon Sees Jesus
25A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He was a good man who was devoted to God. He was waiting for the time when God would come to help Israel. The Holy Spirit was with him. 26The Holy Spirit told him that he would not die before he saw the Messiah from the Lord. 27The Spirit led Simeon to the Temple. So he was there when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to do what the Jewish law said they must do. 28Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked God:
29“Now, Lord, you can let me, your servant, die in peace as you said.
30I have seen with my own eyes how you will save your people.
31Now all people can see your plan.
32He is a light to show your way to the other nations.
And he will bring honor to your people Israel.”
33Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what Simeon said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “Many Jews will fall and many will rise because of this boy. He will be a sign from God that some will not accept. 35So the secret thoughts of many will be made known. And the things that happen will be painful for you—like a sword cutting through your heart.”
Anna Sees Jesus
36Anna, a prophetess, was there at the Temple. She was from the family of Phanuel in the tribe of Asher. She was now very old. She had lived with her husband seven years 37before he died and left her alone. She was now 84 years old. Anna was always at the Temple; she never left. She worshiped God by fasting and praying day and night.
38Anna was there when Joseph and Mary came to the Temple. She praised God and talked about Jesus to all those who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.
Joseph and Mary Return Home
39Joseph and Mary finished doing all the things that the law of the Lord commanded. Then they went home to Nazareth, their own town in Galilee. 40The little boy Jesus was developing into a mature young man, full of wisdom. God was blessing him.
Jesus as a Boy
41Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as usual. 43When the festival was over, they went home, but Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did not know about it. 44They traveled for a whole day thinking that Jesus was with them in the group. They began looking for him among their family and close friends, 45but they did not find him. So they went back to Jerusalem to look for him there.
46After three days they found him. Jesus was sitting in the Temple area with the religious teachers, listening and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and wise answers. 48When his parents saw him, they wondered how this was possible. And his mother said, “Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I were very worried about you. We have been looking for you.”
49Jesus said to them, “Why did you have to look for me? You should have known that I must be where my Father’s work is.#2:49 where … work is Or “in my Father’s house.”” 50But they did not understand the meaning of what he said to them.
51Jesus went with them to Nazareth and obeyed them. His mother was still thinking about all these things. 52As Jesus grew taller, he continued to grow in wisdom. God was pleased with him and so were the people who knew him.
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